Clint Eastwood's latest movie "Gran Torino" was not only a major draw at this weekend's box office but also the actor's biggest opening in his entire six-decade Hollywood career.

The unusual story in "Gran Torino," where a retired Detroit auto worker and Korean War veteran develops a tight friendship with one of his Asian neighbors, managed to earn $29 million in ticket sales in its first weekend of wide release.

"Gran Torino" was already a hit since it opened in just 84 venues a month ago and raised around $11 million, but critics were skeptical the flick could pull in bigger crowds once it expanded from 84 to more than 2,800 theaters.

Needless to say, Warner Bros' "Gran Torino" exceeded all expectations, including Eastwood’s previous records of $18 million posted by 2000’s "Space Cowboys" as well as his last headliner, 2004’s "Million Dollar Baby."

A movie, which Eastwood reportedly directed as his last starring role, was no match for Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson's hyped comedy "Bride Wars" about two best friends whose weddings accidentally get booked for the same day, which came in second with $21.5 million after opening in 3,226 theaters, Media By Numbers LLC said today.

Among other new releases, Rogue Pictures' horror film "The Unborn" took over the third spot with sales of $21.1 million while "Not Easily Broken," a romantic drama from Sony Corp., was ninth with $5.6 million. The low-budget film did fairly better than expected. Based on a book about famous pastor and author Bishop T.D. Jakes, the movie cost only $5 million to make.

Last weekend and the previous weekend's biggest earner, canine comedy "Marley & Me" starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, fell on the fourth place with $11.4 million. The picture has done $123.7 million in three weeks. Rounding up the top five was Brad Pitt's latest movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which earned $9.5 million, bringing its total to $94.3 million.